Considering a Heat Pump? Here’s a Look at the Differences Between Heat Pumps and Furnaces

December 5, 2019 1:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

When the time comes to replace an old heating system, you likely have a couple options, but the one that’ll heat your home the best depends on a few things. Let’s take a look at the differences between a furnace and a heating pump in Oklahoma City, OK so you can choose the right type of heating system for your home.

Heat pumps vs. furnaces

First things first: heat pumps and furnaces are different. Here’s what you need to know to make the right decision for your household:

  • Heat pump: If you live in a mild climate where winter temperatures average around 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, then a heat pump may fit well into your life. Areas with low electricity rates are also good matches for heat pumps. A heat pump is part of a central heating and cooling system that uses the outside air to provide heat in winter and cool air in summer. These units are energy efficient, hard-working heat transport systems.
  • Furnace: Homes in cold climates that experience bitterly cold winters with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing benefit better from furnaces. For starters, furnaces don’t depend on the outdoor temperatures to convert heat. A furnace is a major part of a central heating and cooling system that burns fuel to evenly distribute warm air throughout your house. All furnaces have four main components: burners, heat exchangers, a blower and a flue. Depending on where you live and your heating needs, you’ll either choose a furnace that runs on gas, electricity or a hybrid system.

Comparing the two options

It’s good to have a basic understanding of the differences between a heat pump and heating furnace in Oklahoma City, OK before choosing one over the other:

  • Installation costs: The cost of the unit and the installation of a gas furnace is less than that of a heat pump, unless your home requires the heater to match an air conditioner. A heat pump both cools and heats, meaning the costs to you may be less. The cost of either unit will vary depending on the model and size your home needs.
  • Air quality: Heat pumps don’t produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions because they don’t involve combustion. Today, many new furnace models are energy efficient and don’t impact the environment as hard as older heating furnace units.
  • Energy efficiency: Of the two, a heat pump is the more energy efficient option. It is powered by electricity, unlike gas furnaces that need to consume fuel to perform. But any furnace that’s used wisely can be considered energy efficient to some extent.
  • Maintenance and lifespan: A gas furnace has a longer lifespan than a heat pump, lasting 20 years or more with proper maintenance. A heat pump can last up to 15 years. Furnaces require less maintenance than heat pumps, because they are only used for a few months out of the year. Furnaces also have fewer mechanical parts, which means fewer breakdowns and malfunctions.

Contact the team at Dailey Heating & Air Conditioning today to get a better understanding of these two heating systems in Oklahoma City, OK.

Categorised in:

This post was written by Writer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *